"He is an excellent teacher," said Billy King, a former county commissioner. "On top of that, we continually need black role models in our school system, so I told the board give the man green a green light to go back to teach."

But for now, that's not in Francis' immediate future. He has been reassigned as a warehouse worker.

Francis said he's been told his contract will not be renewed.

After Wednesday's hearing, Till said we would decide sometime after the Christmas break whether Francis stays in the warehouse or returns to his class.